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Lessons
FROM THE
Old Testament.
FOR SENIOR CLASSES.
January 2 to March 26, 1892.
LIESSON I.—January 2, 1892.
THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST.—ISA.I1:t-to.
(MEMORY VERSES,
2
-
1.)
GOLDEN TEXT: "
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from
the river unto the ends of the earth." Ps. 72:8.
I. WHAT
does the prophet declare shall spring
from Jesse, the father of David? Isa.
1. (The
word "rod" means " shoot " and the word " stem "
means " trunk " or "stock." See Revised Ver-
sion.)
2.
Whom does the apostle Paul declare this rod
or shoot to be? Acts 13:22, 23.
3.
What spirit should this king possess? Isa.
:2.
II
4.
Was this manifest in the life 'of Jesus ?
NoTE.—The prophet presents the character of Jesus as
it would be manifest
in
his entire work: (t) As man's
Example; (2) as the wise Teacher; the Wisdom of God;
4
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
(3) as Judge; (4) as King. The Spirit of God rested
upon him at the time of his baptism (John 1 :33); the
spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel and
might and knowledge, was manifested repeatedly in his
marvelous teaching, in his knowledge of men's hearts, in
his replies to his adversaries, in his speaking the dead
to life, and the stormy sea to a calm (see Luke 4:22;
Matt.
13:54;
7:28, 29; Luke 20 : 26, 40; John
11:43,
44;
Mark 4: 39); and his fear of the Lord was shown in
that he, as our Example, kept his Father's command-
ments (John 5:30; 12:49, 50; 15:10). Between his first
and second advent Christ is a kingly priest upon his
Father's throne. Heb. 8:1. During this time he is de-
veloping out from among all nations a people for his
kingdom. Isa.
to applieS to this time.
5.
Whose character did he thus reveal? John
14:9;
2 Cor. 5:19.
6.
Did Christ act as judge while upon earth ?
John 12:47.
7.
Will Christ ever become a judge? John 5:
22, 27;
Acts 17:31.
8.
At what time will Christ judge the world?
2
Tim. 4:I;
I
Cor. 4:5.
9.
How is justice manifested in the world now?
Isa. 59:14, 15; James 5:4-6.
to. With what spirit will Christ judge? Isa. i I :
4, first part.
II. How will he judge the wicked? Isa. i 1:4,
last part; Ps.
2:7-9; 2
Thess.
2:8.
12.
What other great event comes in connection
with Christ's execution of the judgment?
2
Tim.
4:2; Matt. 25:31.
13.
Where and how extensive is this kingdom
to be ? Ps.
2: 7,
8. See golden text.
14.
For how long has this kingdom been wait-
ing? Matt. 25:34.
.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
5
15.
How will all wickedness be purged away?
Dan. 2:35, 44;
2
Peter 3:1o.
16.
What will the power of God bring out of
this destruction ? 2 Peter 3:13; Isa. 65:17; Rev.
2 I :
I.
17.
What will be the character of Christ's reign?
Isa 11:9; Jer. 23:5, 6.
18.
What will be the character of the subjects of
that kingdom ? Isa. 6o: 21.
19.
What change will take place in all the crea-
tion of God? Isa. 11:6-9; 6o:18.
zo. How long will this kingdom exist? Luke
31-33; Dan. 7:27.
21.
What is said of the glory of this kingdom?
Isa. I i :9 and last part of verse to; Isa. 6o:19, 20.
22.
Until that glad day what will be the prayer
of every child of God? Rev.
22: 20.
LESSON II.—January .9, 1892.
A SONG OF SALVATION.—ISA. 26:1-10.
(MEMORY VERSES, 1
-
4.)
GOLDEN TEXT: "Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah
is everlasting strength." isa. 06:4.
-
I. WHAT will be consummated at Christ's com-
ing and kingdom? Titus 2:13; Acts 26:6, 7.
2.
What will then be revealed? I Peter 1:5,
7-9.
Ans.—The
salvation of God.
3.
For what may we rejoice as that coming
draws nigh? Luke
21 : 28.
6
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
4.
For what have the children of faith ever
looked? Heb. II:16; 13:14.
NOTE.—The
looking and longing for the
continuing
city of God is like that of a child longing for its mother,
which the New Jerusalem is to the child of God. Gal.
4.26; Isa. 54:5; 62:4. Here the people of God have
been pilgrims and strangers, they have seen earth's fair-
est, strongest cities fall and perish, and the brighest
glories of earth fade away; no wonder, then, that they
look and long for the haven of rest, where, in the pres-
ence of Father and Redeemer, they will " delight them-
selves in the abundance of peace," in that city which
continueth ever. Note the contrast between the "strong
cif}, " of God and the "lofty city" of men mentioned in
verses 5 and 6 of the lesson scripture.
5.
What is the relation of this city to them?
Rev.
21:
9, 1o; Gal. 4: 26; Isa. 54:5.
6.
What will be the condition of things on this
earth when Christ comes? Matt. 24: 29, 3o; Rev.
16: 17-21.
7.
Where will Christ take his people? John
1-3; Rev. 14:1; 19:1.
8.
In the midst of the calamities ushering in
Christ's coming, what song will be sung by the
ch;ldren of God? Isa. 26:1; Ps. 46: 1-7.
9.
As the redeemed host ascend with their
Lord to that city, what command is given to the
ainels of God? Isa. 25:
2.
IO.
Are we to wait till Christ comes before we
can rejoice in his salvation ? Col. I: 12-14.
ix. How are we made to rejoice in his salvation?
Rom. 5:1,
2,
II.
12.
How and for what reason may we be kept
in the peace of Christ? Isa. 26:3.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
13.
How long are we exhorted to thus trust God ?
Verse 4, first clause.
14.
What basis does he give for everlasting
trust? Same verse, last part; Isa. 51 :6.
15.
What will become of the proud of the earth
who trust in themselves ? Isa. 26:5, 6.
16.
At what time will the poor and meek reign
triumphant? Ps: 37: 9—ri; Mal. 4: 2, 3.
17.- What assurance has the righteous that God
regards his faithfulness? Isa. 26: 7;
Ps.
37: 23.
18. What will be the heart longings of those
who are looking for Christ's coming? Isa.
26:8,
9.
NOTE.—This
Scripture lesson fixes the time of this song
of ,salvation in connection with the coming of Christ
-
.
The characteristics of the people who will be saved at
that time are thus expressed: " Here is the patience cf
the saints; here are they that keep the commandments
of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14: 12. Ow.: .)f
God's commandments, namely, the fourth, presents tit.
name, title, and extent of the authority of the Giver of
law. The Psalmist (111:4) says. that God has "marls
his
wonderful worts
to be remembered." The fourth
commandment and other scriptures show that God ha.-.3
given, as the memorial of his wonderful works, the holy
Sabbath. His faithful people will remember this in the
last days, and, therefore, in this time of trouble, while.
longing for his coining, will sing: " Yea,. in the way o(
thy judgments ["highway of thy commandments," Spur-
rell], 0 Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of out
soul is to thy name,- and to the remembrance [',`memo-
rial," Rev. Ver.] of thee."
19.
What is God's "remembrance" (or "memo-
rial," Revised Version) ? Ps. III :4; Ex. 20:8—:I.
20.
Whom will this lead us to acknowledge?
Ans.—The Creator and Redeemer, Christ Jesus
our Lord. Col. 1 :14.-17; Eph. 2: 10.
8
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
21.
How do God's judgments and favor affect
men ? Isa.
26:
9 (last clause), and verse ro.
NOTE.—It
is ever true that the man who is willing, or
wills, to do God's will, will be brought to see it. The
goodness of God or the judgments of God will bring him
to his senses and to repentance; but he whose heart is to
do evil, will do evil still. Like Pharaoh, he will harden
his heart under God's judgments, or, like Judas, under
God's favor. Others will be brought to repentance un-
der God's mercy, like Peter, or under his judgments, like
Manasseh. Whichever it may be that comes to us,
whether prosperity or calamity, God desires that we
shall learn of him righteousness and truth.
LESSON III.—January. 16, 1892.
OVERCOME WITH WINE.—ISA. 28 : 1-8.
(MEMORY VERSES, 5-7)
GOLDEN TEXT.
-
"
Wine
is a mocker; strong drink is raging; and whoso-
ever is deceived thereby is not wise." Prov.
20: r.
I.
WHAT
denunciation does the Lord titter
against the kingdom of Israel, as represented by
the tribe of Ephraim, in whose midst was the capi-
tal city, Samaria ? Isa. 28:
1.
, 2.
What power would he bring against them ?
and what would be the result? Verse
2.
Evi-
dently fulfilled three or four years after by the king
of Assyria. See
2
Kings 17 :
6.
3.
What well typified Samaria and her soon-
coming destruction? Verse
4.
AllS.
—A fading
flower, the first fruit greedily plucked and hastily de-
voured.
4.
What was the direct cause of Israel's de-
struction?
2:
-Kings 17:14-18.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
9
5.
What prohibition did the Lord lay upon
those who ministered in sacred things and taught
the people? Lev. to: 8, 9.
6.
What effect does wine have upon the senses?
See golden text.
7.
For what reason, then, did the Lord prohibit
the priests from drinking wine? Lev. to: to, II.
8.
What, then, was one of the prime causes
why Israel went into idolatry? Isa. 28: 1, 3.
9.
What does the Lord say of the residue of his
people (evidently Judah) at that time? Isa. 28:
7,
8
.
to. How would such ones be likely to under-
stand the warnings and reproofs of God? Isa. 56:
to-12.
II. To what did this blindness lead on the part
of Judah? See 2 Chron. 24: 16; 2 Kings 16: to, it.
12.
What other forms of intemperance are classed
with drunkenness? Prov. 23: 20, 21.
13.
What was the beginning of Sodom's sins?
Eze. 16 : 49, 5
0
.
14.
With what does the Lord connect gluttony
and drunkenness?
Ans.—With
licentiousness and
adultery.. See Rom. 13:13; Prov. 23: 31-33.
15.
How did this gluttony result in the case of
Eli's sons? I Sam. 2: 12-17.
Ans.
—God's direc-
tions were to burn the fat first (Lev. 3: 3
-
5,.
16
), but
their gluttony would not allow it. This led to adul-
tery (r Sam. 2 : 22); and this to their destruction,
even as wine drinking did to the destruction of the
sons of Aaron (Lev. to: i-io).
10
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
16.
How great, then, is the sin of intemperance
or gluttony?
Ans.—Just
as great as its conse-
quences,—misery, degradation, and death eternal.
17.
What would God have us to be in this re-
spect ? r Cor. 9:25-27.
tE. By what power may this be wrought in us?
Ans. ---By
the Spirit and promises of God. Gal.
5 :
22, 23; 2 PeterI: 4-6.
39. How far ought we to go in the matter of ab-
stinence? Rom. 13:14; 14:
21.
20.
What is the rule of the Christian with regard
to eating and drinking? 1 Cor. to: 31.
21.
How many selfish indulgences and foolish,
hurtful habits are permitted by this rule?
haSSON IV.—Januatry 23, 1892.
HEZEKIAH'S PRAYER AND DELIVERANCE.—
ISA.
37 : 14-21, 33-38,
(MEMORY VERSES, 15-17.)
GOLDEN
TENT.
—" The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and deliv-
ereth them." is. 34:17.
1. To
what power was Judah tributary when
Hezekiah came to the throne?
2
Kings 16 : 7,
2..
How. old was Hezekiah when he began to
reign? and how long did he reign ?
2
Kings r8:
2.
3.
What was the character of his reign? Verses
3-6,
4.
IVImtion the most important acts of this ref-
ormation. Ans.—The destruction of the idola-
xous places of worship and of the idols, notably
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
11
the brazen serpent, the repairing of the temple,
and the holding of the great passover for all Israel.
See chapters
29
and 30 of 2 Chronicles.
5.
What is said of his greatness? 2 Chron. 32:
27-30.
6.
How did God regard him? 2 Kings 18:7,
first part.
7.
What noted event occurred in the early part
of his reign? Verses 9-12.
NOTE.—Hezekiah
seems to have been at least out-
wardly friendly to Shalmanezer and Sargon, successors
to Tiglath-pileser, and to have paid his tribute as a sub-
ordinate power. His faith had not yet reached the point
of relying on God alone.
8.
What did Hezekiah do when he thought
himself strong?
2
Kings 18:7, last clause.
NOTE.
—Rawlinson points out that at the time of Sen.•
nacherib's accession to the throne nearly all of the king-
doms south and west of Assyria, which had been tribu-
tary to that empire, were in open revolt, and Hezekiah
seized upon such a time to declare Judah free. He was
at this time, however, forced to yield, for he trusted in
his own strength and the strength of allied powers, in-
stead of resting wholly upon God. See
2
Chron. 32:1--S
and Isaiah 20 Se also on Hezekiah in " Kings of IsraA
and Judah," by Rawlinson.
9.
What action did Sennacherib take with refer-
ence to this? Verses 13-16.
"
NOTE.
—After this victory, according to Assyrian
rz.:-
ords,
Sennacherib returned to Nineveh, where Hezekiah
sent his tribute.
to. To what power did Hezekiah evidently seek.
to ally himself, after having for the time purchased
Assyria's favor ? Isa. 36:4-6, 9.
11. What action did Sennacherib take when 1-1(2
1?
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
heard of what Hezekiah was doing?
2
Kings 18:
17.
12.
Who did Rab-shakeh (the cup bearer of the
king) say had sent him against Judah? Verse 25.
13.
What showed that he not only lied, but that
he had no faith whatever in Jehovah? Isa. 36:14,
15, 18, 20.
NOTE
.
Rab
-
shakeh
not only did not go by command
of God, but he reproached and blasphemed Jehovah by
classing him with the gods of the heathen.
14.
How did this boastful chief, with his mighty
army, affect Hezekiah?
Ans.
—Hezekiah humbled
himself greatly, sought God in the temple, and sent
his leading men clothed in sackcloth to inquire of
Isaiah the prophet. See Isa. 37: 1-5.
15.
How did God regard this humility of soul?
Verses 6, 7.
16.
As Rab-shakeh departed, what threatening
letter did he send to Hezekiah? Verses 9-13.
17.
What did Hezekiah do with this blasphe-
mous letter? Verses
14,
15.
18.
How did he plead with God? Verses 16-2o.
NOTE.
Hezekiah
appealed (I) to God's majesty and
omnipotence; (2) to God's honor, which had been in-
sulted; (3) he admitted the truth of all Sennacherib's vic-
tories, but e alted God above him; (4) and, lastly, he
pleads God's mercy to his people, and asks that the sal-
vation granted may be such that all the nations of earth
might know that Jehovah was God alone.
19.
What answer did the Lord through his
prophet give Hezekiah? Verses
21-
35
NOTE.
He
assured the king of Assyria that the virgin
daughter of Zion laugh d him to scorn; that as he had
blasphemed the Holy One of Israel and reproached the
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
Lord, in whose power was all nations, so would God over-
come Assyria, and lead him back as a man would a beast,
with a hook in the nose; and that the Lord would defend
Jerusalem for his own sake.
20.
How did the Lord fight for his people? and
what became of this proud king? Verses 36-38.
21.
Why did God thus come to the help of Heze-
kiah? Verse 21.
22.
What promise has God made to all that call
upon him in trouble? See golden text and Ps.
107 : 17-21.
LESSON
V.—Janua.rry 30, 1892.
THE SUFFERING SAVIOUR.—ISAIAH. 53.
(MEMORY VERSES, 3-5,)
GOLDEN TEXT:
"
He hath laid on him the inquity of us all." Isa.
NOTE.—The
fifty-third chapter of Isaiah is a prophecy
of Christ from the standpoint of the Christian dispensa-
tion, •with his glory and kingdom yet future. The tense
of the verbs in the Revised Version, as well as the mat-
ter itself, makes this clear.
I. IN
contemplating the people who slew Christ
and the wonderful message of the gospel which
centers in his person, what question were his serv-
ants constrained to ask? Isa. 53:1; see also Rom.
10: 16; John
12:37,
38.
2. What does the prophet say of Christ's person
as he was manifest among men? Vers e 2.
NOTE.—
This statement does not mean that Christ's ap-
pearance was repulsive. They expected a monarch
whose glory and splendor outshone that of Solomon, but
Christ's appearance was such that they could not natu-
rally expect anything from him. They desired the beauty
14
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
o: worldly glory; they did not find in him what they de
sired. His birth was also lowly, as a root out of dry
ground.
3.
How
was this fulfilled? Mark 6:2, 3.
4.
How did the prophet say that men would re-
gard this man of sorrows? Isa. 53:3.
5.
How was this fulfilled? John
1: 1o, 1;
see
also John- 6:66; Matt. 26:56.
.
6. By whose afflictions was he made sorrowful?
Isa. 53:4, first part. See Heb. 4:15; John
11
35,
and elsewhere.
NOTE.-" Grief" and " griefs," in verses 3 and 4, are in
the Revised Version translated " sickness ' and " sick-
nesses."
7.
Yet what did these sorrows lead men to con-
clude? Isa. 53:4.
8.
For, or on whose account, did Jesus bear all
these sufferings? Verse
5; 2
Cor. 5:
21.
9.
How many are in need of the grace and
healing of Christ?
Rom. 3:23; Isa. 53:6, first
two clauses.
1o. How great was the burden of sin that rested
upon him? Verse 6; John I: 29.
How did he bear these sufferings? Verse 7.
No'rE.—Boothroyd and others render the first part of
this verse, "It was exacted, and he was made answer-
able; " that is, God's infinite holiness and justice could
not remit the penalty du:: the transgression of his perfect
law. The innocent One was made to bear it.
12. What is said of the injustice toward him?
Verse 8, first part. "In his low estate, his judg-
ment was taken away, and the [injustice and cruelty
of the] men of his generation, who can describe?"
—Boolnroyd.
OLD TESTAMENT. LESSONS.
13.
Yet on account of whom was all this injus-
tice borne? Verse 8, last part. Boothroyd reads:
" He was cut off out of the land of the living; for
the transgression of my people was he smitten to
death." See Heb. 2:9, to.
14.
What kind of a burial attested his innocence?
Verse 9, first part.
NOTE.—Boothroyd reads: "And he was placed with
the wicked in his death, but with the rich in his sep-
ulcher." See Matt. 27:57-60. A criminal was not al.
lowed such burial.
15.
Was this suffering a part of the divine plan?
Verse 9, last part; verse to, first part.
NOTE.—Boothroyd connects the verses thus: "Al-
though he had done no wrong, neither was guile found
In his mouth; yet it pleased the Lord to crush him with
affliction, " or, as in our version, "to bruise him; he hath
put him to grief."
16.
What part did Jesus personally take in this
offering? Titus 2:14; Mark 14:36:
17.
What did the prophet say should result to
Christ from the offering of his soul or life for man's
sins? Verse to, last part.
18.
What is the pleasure of the Lord that shall
prosper in his hands? Verse to, first clause. The
humility and suffering are the foundation of honor
and power. See Col. t:19; Phil. 2 :".6-9.
19.
To what extent will the sufferings of Christ
prosper? Verse it, first part. They will prosper
to the full satisfaction of Christ in looking upon the
kingdom he has redeemed and the souls he has
saved. See Heb. 12: 2 ; Isa. 62:3, 4.
20.
What will he do for those who know and
16
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
trust in him? Isa. 53: It; John T : 3; Rom. 5: 1,
9.
21. Over whom and how will he completely tri-
umph ? Isa. 53:12.
NorE.—Again we give the translation of Boothroyd, as
better expressing the sense: "Therefore will I give to
him as a portion the great; and the mighty fSatan and his
angels] shall he possess as a spoil [see Gen. 3:15;
22:
ij;
Matt,
12:28, 29];
because he poured out his soul unto
death," etc. For divine commentary on this chapter, see
2:14-18.
LESSON VI.—February 6, 1892,
THE GRACIOUS CALL—ISAIAH 55.
(MEMORY VERSES, 6-8.)
GOLDEN TENT. —" Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon
him while he is near." Isa. 55:6.
I. WHAT reproof does the Lord give to those.
who spend means and time for that which is worldly
and worthless? Isa. 55:
2,
first two questions.
2. What better way does he set before them ?
Same verse, last part. Boothroyd
.
reads;
Let
your soul feast itself with the best things:"
. 3. To whom and how freely are these best
things offered? Verse t.
4.
By what means is this
-
fountain :Of Goes
grace thus opened? ha.
53:4,
5. -
5.
What does Jesus himself say in • regard to
these riches.of his
-
grace? John
4: Iv,
-
6
: 27,
5i; 63.
1
6., What.does he promise us if we heed these
instructions? Isa.
55:
3, first two clauses.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
17
7.
What does he promise to those who will
come to him? Same verse, last part.
8.
What is this everlasting covenant here prom-
ised? Ans.—The new covenant in Christ. See
Ps. 89:20, 26-36; Acts 13:34; Heb. 8:8-13; 13:
20.
9.
What will the Father make of Christ, the
seed of David? Isa. 55:4.
to. In confirmation of this, what does
Jesus say
of himself as a witness of God? John 18:
37 ; Rev.
I :
5.
it. What witness is borne to him as leader and
commander? Matt. 17:5; Eph. 1:22,
23.
-
12.
Were the blessings of Christ to be to the
Jewish people alone? Isa. 55:5; John to:16;
Cor: 12:13.
NOTE.-
"
Know " is used in Isa. 55:5 in the sense of
covenant relationship, such as exists between God and
his people. See John 17 :3 and Gal.
4:9,
for its use in
this sense. It is here used of the Gentiles.
13.
Why would men run after Christ? Isa.
55:
5. -Because God had glorified him in his sufferings
for the'world (John; 3: 31), in his resurrection from
the dead (Eph. 1 :19, 20), in the effectual power of
his priesthood (Heb. 5 :5); h&j§ glorified in his
people (1 Peter
4: 14),
and glorified with his peo-
ple when he comes again (Rom. 8:17, 18).
14.
In view of these things, what are men
horted to do? Isa. 55:6.
15.
Of what time only have we the promise? -
-
2
COr.
6:2.
18
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
16: What does he say of the wicked and un-
righteous? Isa. 55:7, first part.
17.
How great mercy will he exercise toward the
repentant? Verse 7, last part; Isa. 1:18.
18.
How does the richness of God's mercy com-
pare with that exercised by man? -Isa. 55:8, 9;
Ps. 303: ro-12.
19.
How effectual will his
.
promises be to those
who trust in them? Verses to,
NOTE.—There
could be no more beadtiful figure of the
power of God's gracious mercy upon the heart of the
sinner than is contained in the two verses above. Just
as the snow and rain, to the human eye of little worth,
falling upon the dry and barren soil, causes to spring
forth the grass and herb, so God's grace and mercy will
soften the hard, barren heart of the sinner and make it
fruitful. This is the promise, it will never return void to
the heart of faith.
20.
What does he say of the way, the joy, and
triumph' of him who accepts of this mercy ? Verses
12, 13; Isa. 61: to, II; 54:33-15.
LESSON VII.--Febtruatty 13, 1892.
THE -NEW -COVENANT.—JER.
31;2737. .
(MEMORY VERSES, 33,34.)
GOLDEN TEXT
-"I
will forgive their iniquity, and I will
-
remember their
sin
-
no more." Jer. 3.: 34.
I: WHAT
proMise does the. Lord make to Is-
rael and Judah ? Jer. 31: 27, 28.
2.
On
what conditions does God plant and
build up ? Jer.
18:7
-
10.
3.
What shows that the blessing promised will
OLD l'ESTAMENT LE'S'SONS.
19
be based on individual character and knowledge of
God? Jer. 31 : 29, 3o.
4.
Through what will these promised blessings
come to the people of God? Verse 31.
5.
Why did the Lord make a new covenant ?
Heb. 8:7.,
NoTE.
The covenant
made with man after, he had
fallen, renewed to Noah and confirmed by oath to Abra-
ham and Isaac, was called the " new covenant," because
its confirmation by the death of Christ was subsequent to
the national covenant with
Israel,
recorded in Ex. 19:5-8;
24:3-8. All who are saved are saved by " the blood of
the everlasting covenant." Heb. 13: to; Acts 4: 12.
6.
In what respect was the new covenant better
than the old? Heb. 8:6.
7.
In what respect do the promises..differ?
Ans.—The old covenant was no stronger than the
promises of Israel, one of the essential parties to
the covenant, while the new covenant rests on the
promise and oath of God. See Heb. 6:17, 18.
8.
What express statement shows that the-cov-
enants were radically different? Jer. 31:32.
9.
Under the old or national covenant where
did Israel have God's law ? Deut. 1o:1-5.
1o. Where does God promise to put this same
law, under the new covenant? Jer. 31:33.
II. With w hom was the first covenant .made?
Israel as a nation. Ex. 19:7, 8.
-
12.
For what purpose was it made? Jer. u : 5;
Deut. 7:6-8.
13.
What i.. the purpose of the new covenant?
Acts 26:13.
14.
How only, then, can men partake of the new
OLD .TESTAMENT LESSONS.
covenant blessings, as individuals or as a nation?
Jer. 31:34.
NOTE.—We
can know God only by personal acquaint-
ance. See John
1o:14;
17:3•
15.
How many of Israel, according to the new
covenant, will know God? Same verse.
16.
Through whom alone do we come into this
covenant relation? Eph.
2:12,
13.
17.
What is necessary on our part that we may
enter this relationship? Mark 1:15; Acts
20: 21.
18.
In accepting Christ by faith what relation-
ship does it establish between us and God? Eph.
2:18, 19;
Jer. 31:33, last part.
19.
To those who trust to the end (Heb. 3:14'
what promises are given? Verse 34, last clause;
Micah 7:19.
20.
What surety has God given that the new -
covenant will be confirmed, and that true Israel
will be saved by it? Jer. 31;35-37; Heb. 6:17,
18.
21.
Who in Christ compose the true Israel of
God? and for what purpose? Rom.
9:24; I
Peter
2:9,
to.
LESSON VIII.--Februarty 20,1892.
JEHOIAKIM'S WICKEDNESS.—JER. 36: x9-31.
(MEMOR
Y
VERSES,
22,
23.)
GOLDEN TEXT. —" To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your
hearts." Heb. 3:15.
I. WHO was Jehoiakim and when and how did
he come to the throne of Judah? See note.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
NOTE.—Jehoiakim, or Eliakim, his name by birth, was
the oldest son of Josiah, king of Judah, who died B. c.
61o. The people made Josiah's second son king, which
displeased the king of Egypt, under whose yoke they
were. He deposed Jehoahaz, after a reign of only three
months, and put Eliakiin in his place, changing his name
to Jehoiakim. This was probably in 609 B. c., the same
year of Josiah's death. See 2 Kings 23:29-36.
2. What was his character? 2 Kings 23:37.
3. Who prophesied against his wickedness?
and what did the king do unto him? - Jer. 26:20-
23.
4. What other prophet faithfully warned Je-
hoiakim against his coming doom, his overthrow
by Nebuchadnezzar?
Ans.—Jeremiah.
He ex-
horted him to turn from his iniquity, that the Lord
might repent him of the evil. He warned Judah
that because of their sins God would bring against
them the king of Babylon, who would lay waste
Jerusalem. Because of this the king sought to
slay Jeremiah. See Jer. 22 : 13-19; 26:1-15, and
elsewhere.
5.' Who saved Jeremiah from death? Jer. 26:
24.
6.
How was Jehoiakim's subjection to Babylon
fulfilled?
Ans.—By
the overthrow of Egypt, Ju-
dah's support. See Jer. 46:2, 13; 2 Kings 24:1.
7.
What instruction did God give Jeremiah
with reference to a repetition of these solemn warn-
ings? Jer.
2.
8.
For what purpose did the Lord thus warn
Judah? Verse 3.
9.
To whom did Jeremiah dictate all these warn-
ings? and what was done with them? Verses 4-8.
22
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
10. How, and under what circumstances, were
these warnings again brought before the people?
Verses 9, Do..
Ix. Who carried the news of. these Warnings to
the princes? Verses 11-13.
12.
State what occurred as the result. Verses
14-19.
13.
What did the princes then do? Verse 20.
14.
What did the king do when he heard of this
book? Verse 21.
15.
As these solemn warnings of God were read,
how was contempt of them shown by these rulers?
Verses 22, 23.
16.
Were the hearts of any of them softened or
alarmed by these warnings? Verse 24.
17.
What showed the hardness of the king's
heart? Verses 25, 26.
18.
How was the wrath of man made to glorify
God? Verses 28, 32.
19.
What judgment was pronounced against Je-
hoiakim because of his rejection of the message of
the Lord? Verses 29-31; 22:17-19.
20.
What lesson should we learn from these
warnings and judgments? Heb. 3:15.
LESSON IX.—Febtruary 27, 1892.
JEREMIAH PERSECUTED.—JER. 37 : 11-21.
(MEMORY VERSES, 15
-
17.)
GOLDEN TEXT.—" I am
with thee, saith the Lord,
to
deliver thee."
Jer.
1: xg.
I. WHO was Jeremiah the prophet? Jer.
I:1.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
V3
NOTE.
Jeremiah
(appointed by Jehovah) began proph-
esying abbut seventy years after Isaiah's death, or 629
B. c., continuing forty4wo years. He was contemporary
with Zephaniah, Habakkuk, and Ezekiel.
2.
When was he ordained to be a prophet ?
Verses 4, 5.
3.
What assurance did God give him in his
work? Vei
-
ses 6-9.
4.
How far-reaching was to be his work? Verse
Jo.
5.
By what means did he become the arbiter of
these nations?
Ans.—By
proclaiming the word of
God as to the conditions of their continued exist-
ence. See Jer. 18: 7-10.
6.
Did Jeremiah begin his work expecting an
easy task ? Chap. 1:15-17.
7.
What promise did he have of God's protec-
tion? Verses 18, 19.
8.
What did_ Jeremiah predict concerning the
nations round abbUt Judah in whom she trusted?
Chap. 2
.
5:9-11.
9.
How were- his words regarded by prophefs
and princes? Chap. 20: 1, 2; 26: 10, Ii.
Ie. What shows that King Zedekiah had some
confidence in Jeremiah? Chap. 37: 3.
Yet did he follow the achrice of the *prophet?
Verse 2.
12.
When the army of Babylon retired before the
host of Egypt, did it shake Jeremiah's confidence
in his predictions? Verses 5-10.
13.
Where did Jeremiah attempt to go? Verses
II, 12.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
NOTE.
—Boothroyd reads the latter part of verse 12,
" To the possession which he had in the midst of the peo-
ple." Jeremiah felt that his work for Jerusalem was
done, and he wished to retire to the quiet village of An-
athoth.
14.
With what was he charged? and how was he
treated? Verses 13-15.
15.
After he had been there many days, what did
the king do? Verses 16, 17.
16.
What plea did he make? and how did he re-
prove the king? Verses 18-2o.
17.
How did the king relieve the prophet?
Verse
21.
IS. What persecution did Jeremiah further en-
dure ? See note.
NOTE.
—After this, as stated in the following chapter,
the prophet continued to warn the people that their safety
lay in yielding themselves to the king of Babylon, when,
at the instigation of the princes, the weak and vascillating
king permitted him to he cast into a deep dungeon, in
the bottom of which was filthy mire. He was rescued
from this living death by a friendly Ethiopian, by permis-
sion of the king, who again sought his advice; but the
king was too morally weak to follow it. Jeremiah re-
mained in the prison court till the city was taken. In all
these trials he proved loyal and faithful to God.
1.9.
What lesson is there in this for us? James
5:
TO.
20.
Whose lot was preferable,. Jeremiah's or his
persecutors' ? James 5: II,
first part; 1 Peter 4: 14.
-
21.
Why may we rejoice under such trials?
Rom. 5: 3-5; I Peter 4:
13.
22.
Of what may we be assured in every trial
that comes to us while we are in the way of the
Lord? Golden text.
OLD PESTAMENT LESSONS.
21;
LESSON X.—Mareh 15 1892.
THE DOWNFALL
OF
JUDAH.—JER.
39:1-1o.
(MEMORY VERSES, 6-8.)
GOLDEN TEXT.—"
For whatsoever things were written aforetime" were
written for our learning." Rom. 15: 4•
1.
WHo was Zedekiah? how and when did he
come to the throne of Judah ? and how long did
he reign ? 2 Kings 24:17, 18. This was about the
year 599
B. C.
2.
What was the character of his reign ? Verse
19.
3.
What position did he shortly assume towards
Babylon?
2
Chron. 36: 13.
4.
What prophet warned him of his ultimate
overthrow? Jer.
21:
3-7.
5.
Did he seem to have respect for the prophet
or his message ? Chap.. 37:17,
21;
38:16.
6.
Did he heed the message of the prophet?
2
Chron. 36:
12.
7.
What showed his weak and vascillating char-
acter? Jer. 38: 5, 19, 24-26.
8.
What was the general character of the peo-
ple of Judah at this time? 2 Chron. 36: 14.
9.
What great mercy and forbearance did God
show toward them? Verse 15.
1o. How did they regard this kindness? Verse
16; Acts 7: 51, 52.
11.
When did the Chaldeans besiege Jerusalem
for the last time? Jer. 39:
I.
.'2o)
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
12.
How long did the siege continue before the
city was taken? Verse 2.
13.
Who took their places as rulers and judges
in Jerusalem? Verse 3.
14.
How did Zedekiah try to escape? Verse 4.
15.
How was he captured? and what was done
with him? Verses 5-7.
16.
How had this been foretold ? Eze. 12: 13,
compare with Jer. 32:4.
17.
What did they do with the city and the
house of God? Jer 39:8; 2
Chron.
36: 17-19.
18.
What did they do with the people? Jer. 39:
9, Io; 2 Chron. 36: 17, 20.
19.
Who had before predicted these things? Jer.
26:2-6; 2 Chron. 36:21.
20.
For what are these things written? and what
is the lesson God would have us learn? Golden
text and 1 Cor. to: 11, 12.
LtESSON XI.—IVIarreh 12, 1892.
PROMISE OF A NEW HEART.—EZE. 36:25-28.
(MEMORY VERSES, 25-27.)
GOLDEN TEXT.—"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will
I put within you." Eze. 36: 26.
I. WHAT is said of the moral condition of Israel
in the days of the prophet Ezekiel? 2 Chron. 36:
14-16. See also Ezekiel 8 and elsewhere.
2. What among many admonitions did God give
them? Eze. 36:32, last part.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
27
3.
How faithfully must the prophet warn them?
Eze. 3:17-21.
4.
What express duty did he set before them?
Eze. 33:11, 14-16.
5.
If they would heed these injunctions, what
blessings would the Lord bestow upon them? Eze.
36:28-30, 33-36.
6.
If they obeyed the Lord, how did he promise
them they would regard their life, which they then
loved, and which had brought them into captivity?
Verse 31.
7.
How did the Lord say that Israel would
heed these injunctions of the prophet? and why?
Eze. 3:7.
8.
What is the condition of the hearts of all men
by nature? Jer. 17:9; Rom. 8:7.,
9.
What, therefore, is necessary that they may
be brought into union with God? Eze. 18:30, 31.
io. Can man accomplish this change of himself?
Rom. 7:18, 19.
H. Who has promised to give the new heart?
Eze. 11:19; 36:26.
12.
Through whom alone is this work wrought?
Acts 4:12; Rom. 8:3;
2
Cor. 5:17.
13.
Sy what agency does Christ change the
heart and spirit? Rom. 8: 9, Jo; Eze. 36:27, first
clause.
14.
What is the purpose and result of the new
heart? Eph.
2:
'0; Eze. 36:27.
15.
By virtue of what covenant is this change
made? Heb. 8:8, to.
28
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
16.
How many of those know the Lord who are
in this covenant relation to the Lord? Heb.
8:
17.
In addition to the new heart and new spirit,
what is done for those who by faith embrace these
promises? Heb. 8:12; Eze. 36:25.
NOTE.—Water is a symbol of the cleansing power of
the word of God and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
See Heb. to:22. The first word of Eze. 36:25 in the
Revised Version is "and " instead of " then."
18.
From whence do those come who make up
the Israel of the new covenant? Eph.
2: 11-13,19.
See also Acts 15:7-9; Rom.
9:24.
19.
How much does the promise of their inherit-
ance include? Eze. 36:28, 37, 38; Rom.
4:
13;
Isa. 45:17, 18.
2o. What will be the condition of that inherit-
ance? Isa. 51:3. See also Isaiah 35 and Revela-
tion
21
and
22.
21.
For whose sake alone will the Lord fulfill all
this to those who believe? Eze. 36:32, first clause,
and verse
22.
22.
To whom, therefore, will all the glory belong?
I COr. I : 30, 31.
LESSON XII.—IVIareh 19, 1892.
REVIEW.
I. WHEN will the kingdom of Christ be set up?
2. Where will it be? and how long will it con-
tinue?
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
29
3.
Whose seed will be the king;? and who will
share the kingdom with him?'
4.
When Christ comes into that kingdom, what
song will be sung?
5.
What will be the character of that people
whom the Lord will bid enter?
6.
What blessings come to those here who stead-
fastly trust in God?
7.
Against what are we Solemnly warned in our
third lesson?
8.
In eating and drinking, what should be the
standard of the Christian? 1 Cor. to:31.
9.
What incident in the history of King Heze-
kiah shows God's willingness- to help those who
trust in him ?
to: By virtue of what are all the blessings of God
brought within our reach? Isa. 53:4
-6
t. In view of this great sacrifice, what gracious
call does the Lord make to the children of men?
Isa. 55:1, 6.
12.
Who will be blessed in responding to this
call?
13.
What has God promised to do for those who
thus seek him? Eze. 36:26.
14.
What has he covenanted to write in this new
heart? Jer. 31:33.
15.
What has he promised to do with their sins?
Eze. 36:25; Jer. 31:34.
ie.. By what power is this change wrought? Eze.
'36:27; Rom. 8:9, to; 5:5.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
17.
How willing is God to give us his Spirit?
Luke it:13,
18.
How will such a heart regard God's law?
Eze. 36:27; 11:19,
20.
19.
Give the character of Jehoiakim s reign, and
mention one of his most notorious acts.
20.
What prophet especially warned him of his
doom? and what did that prophet have to endure?
21.
Give an account of the overthrow of Jerusa-
lem and what led to it.
22.
Repeat the golden text of each lesson in or-
der.
LESSON XIII.—IVIareh 26, 1892
THE BLESSINGS OF THE GOSPEL.—ISA.
40:
1-Io.
(MEMORY VERSES, 3, 4.)
GOLLEN TEXT'.
—"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all
flesh shall see it together." ha.
40:5.
I. WHAT
message does God give his people
through the prophet? Isa. 40:1.
NOTE.—Jerusalem,
as the center of worship, the chief
city of the kingdom, stands for the people of God. Her
sins are the sins committed by them: If the Jews had
proved faithful to God, old Jerusalem would have stood
forever (Jer. 17:24-27), but as Israel continued to trans-
gress, Jerusalem was destroyed. But this unbelief did
not make the promise of God of none effect (Rom. 3:3);
God's promises to the faithful are fulfilled through Christ
in the new covenant, and to the new covenant city, New
Jerusalem, the mother of us all (Gal. 4:24). See Isaiah
54
and Revelation
21.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
2.
What has been the condition of all God's
people here? Isa. 53:6, first two clauses; Rom.
3:23.
3.
Though accepted of God, what is their lot?
Acts 14:22;
2
Tim. 3:12.
4.
Who is their comforter? Isa. 51:3, 12; 61:
1-3,
5.
How does God comfort them? 'Isa. 40:2,
see margin.
NOTE.—For the latter part of the verse, compare
Jer. 16:18 with 17:18. Jerusalem's double punishment
seemed to be double destruction to the earthly city.
The prophet looks beyond this to the heavenly Jerusa-
lein.
6.
By virtue of whom are all these sins
w-
cloned? Isa. 53:4, 5•
7.
In what are these blessings included? Luke
2:10,
II,
14; Rom :16, 17.
8.
What herald should go before this coming
Redeemer? Isa. 4o:3; Matt: 3:1-3.
9.
What work .must he done for the people in
their own hearts, or be done by the power of the
Son of God when he comes to reign? Isar 40:4;
Luke 3:5. See note.,
NOTE.—The figure used is that of the advance guard
of an army or king's retinue preparing the literal way
before him. It doubtless meant that those who received
Christ must put away their.traditions, their errors, their
sins. When this is not done by the grace of Christ in
the hearts of those who accept him, it will be done by his
glory when he comes.
to. What should be revealed through Christ?
Isa. 40:5.
31P
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS.
it. What does Jesus say of himself? John 14.:
9; 12:32. Ans.—That he represents the Father,
and therefore, if lifted up, would represent to the
world in that lifting up God'S love and mercy.
12.
What does John say of Christ in this re-
spect? John i:14.
13.
What especial phase of God's glory was
manifest in Christ on earth? Eph. :6.
14.
When will the ultimate glory of Jehovah be
revealed through Christ? Matt. 16:27; 25:31.
15.
What will this full revelation of glory mean
to the people of God? Luke 3:6; I Peter :5, 7-9.
16.
In view of these wonderful promises of the
gospel of Christ, what command does God
-
give to
his heralds? Isa. 40:6-8.
17.
In what does the apostle declare this word is
preached? 1 Peter 1:24, 25.
18.
What message and spirit should 'animate the
people of God in heralding these tidings? Isa. 4o:
9, margin. See also Matt. 3:1, 2; John 1:29.
19.
What message will precede Christ's second
advent? Isa. 4o: 1o, compare with Rev. 22:12.
20.
Having all the seassurances of the word of
God, in what may his people rest? Isa. 4o:8; 51:
6-3.
21.
And what will that same blessed gospel re-
veal to 'us through all. eternity? Eph. 2:7 and
go!den text.